Gov. Chris Gregoire, D-Wash., has given her approval to the proposed Kittitas Valley Wind Power Project (KVWPP), which Horizon Wind Energy, a subsidiary of Energias de Portugal S.A., plans to construct northwest of Ellensburg in central Washington.

In June, Gregoire directed the Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) to reconsider the recommended setback for some of the project's wind turbines from the residences of nonparticipating landowners. EFSEC modified the conditions it had originally proposed for the project to require that each individual wind turbine be located to maximize distance from homes rather that maximize energy production, the governor's office says.

Horizon adds that the governor's ruling represents the final step in Washington's administrative review of the wind project.

"This project is the most thoroughly studied wind farm project in the Northwest," says Chris Taylor, northwest development director at Horizon. "EFSEC's finding that KVWPP created no significant negative impact has never been contested. Northwest consumers can be confident that a significant, new, clean energy resource is just around the corner."